Bideford and Bodmin Town
will do battle again tonight

Bideford narrowly avoided the Bodmin banana skin on Saturday to remain in the FA Cup competition - but only just!

Only a last-gasp goal by Sean Downing earned them a 2-2 draw with the South Western Leaguers.

Now they will have to do it all over again with a trip into Cornwall tonight (Wednesday) for the replay against opponents who may be in a lower league, but who have already dumped Western League leaders Brislington and Wells City from the competition.

Despite creating more chances than their visitors, the Robins twice fell behind at the Sports Ground to fine finishes by Bodmin striker Steve Colwell.

His first came midway through the first half, curcled in from the edge of the box.

Sean Downing and Kevin Squire both saw efforts denied by visiting keeper Kevin Miller before Squire found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. He beat the keeper with a near post header from a corner by Connor Clifford.

Another chance was missed early in the second half when Downing pounced on a wayward back-pass, only to put his shot wide.

It proved costly when Bodmin took the lead again when Colwell lashed home a long range shot for his second goal.

Bideford mounted sustained pressure for the remainder of the game, but the visitors’ defence stood firm and when the Robins lost central defender Dominic Rivans with 10 minutes to go, their chances of an equaliser seemed to have receded.

But with everyone thrown forward for a last attack, including goalkeeper Sam Hutchings, the vital goal finally came.

Deep into stoppage time Sean Downing was there to meet a corner from Connor Clifford and finally find the net.

After tonight’s replay at Priory Park the Robins will be in action again on Saturday with a league match at home to Redditch United.